According to the felony complaint, police were contacted by the Dickinson County Memorial Hospital in reference to the defendant being treated for injuries due to a chemical explosion. Evidence at the scene of the explosion, 724 N. Kimberly Ave., Iron Mountain, determined a meth lab had failed.

Investigation also revealed that the defendant purchased pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) less than two hours earlier and a tube cutter (used to cut open lithium batteries) shortly after that. Sudafed and a tube cutter along with other known ingredients used to make meth were recovered from the scene.

Pearce was treated at Columbia St. Mary's Regional Burn Center Milwaukee for treatment of third degree burns.

Arraignment will be in Dickinson County Circuit Court on Feb. 4 at 9 am. before Judge Richard J. Celello.